This is the week to discuss plots, so here is another popular romantic plot for a novel. This one, the arranged marriage plot, is used by both historical and contemporary authors. It involves a older character deciding that the hero, or the heroine is to be promised in marriage to someone they don’t know. There is usually a monetary or power struggle behind the decision, and the hero or heroine must solve that problem as well as fight the proposed candidate for marriage. The plot usually involves a very desirable character and the hero or heroine although opposed to the whole idea, falls madly in love this said candidate. The monetary or power struggle is defused, the couple marry and live happily ever after.

Romance plots are great fun and some lend themselves to historical romance easier than contemporary romance. This is one of those. It was not at all uncommon for a father or guardian to pick the heroine’s husband even as late as the middle of the 18th century, 19th, if you were royalty. Today our women are a bit more outspoken. But it still can be a successful contemporary plot if the reason for picking the heroine’s husband is strong enough.

So have fun with turning this plot into a full fledged novel. Tomorrow another romantic plot. Don’t forget to comment to be in the running to win a digital copy of my short story, “A Matter of Passion.”

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About allisonknight2014

I write historical, gothic and contemporary romance. After all, after 53 years of marriage to a great guy, I do know a bit about romance. I'm a retired teacher and no, I didn't teach English, have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I love to cook and hate to clean. Somehow, the writing satisfies both. Cooking up romance keeps me from cleaning!